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2 men arrested for Kona kidnapping

Two men have been arrested in connection with a kidnapping last month in Kona, according to Big Island police.

On Dec. 23, a 22-year-old Kailua-Kona man reported that at 3:45 p.m., a 31-year-old male acquaintance and a second unidentified man approached him on Royal Poinciana Drive near Ali'i Drive and asked him for drugs and cash. When he refused, they reportedly assaulted him, forced him into a sports-utility vehicle, stole personal items and held him at knife point while driving around Kailua-Kona for more than an hour and demanding money.

The victim persuaded his assailants to drive him to the home of a family member so he could get cash. Once there, he went inside. After a family member confronted the suspects and said police had been called, the suspects drove away.

On Jan. 1, Kona patrol officers located the SUV, which was damaged and abandoned on Hina Lani Street in Kailua-Kona. Further investigation by detectives confirmed the identities of both suspects.

On Monday, police arrested 31-year-old Jack Toribio Casuga of Kailua-Kona and took him to the Kona police cellblock while detectives continued the investigation.

On Wednesday, Casuga was charged with kidnapping, first-degree robbery, first-degree terroristic threatening and fourth-degree theft. He was also charged with violating parole in an unrelated incident and with first-degree burglary and second-degree attempted robbery for another unrelated incident on Dec. 19 at a home on Ali'i Drive. His bail was set at $146,000. He was held at the cellblock until his initial court appearance on Thursday.

Also on Thursday, 29-year-old William Holbron-Kealoha of Kailua-Kona was arrested and charged with kidnapping, first-degree robbery, first-degree terroristic threatening and an unrelated count of failure to appear. His bail was set at $110,100. He remains at the Kona police cellblock pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Friday.

Chad Simmerman, 36, who frequents the South Kohala and Kona areas, is wanted on a bench warrant for contempt of court and for questioning in connection with a violation of order and criminal property damage investigations.

Norman Nakamoto, 79, of Kailua-Kona was indicted on numerous drug and firearms charges. He pleaded not guilty to trafficking and promotion of meth as well as possession of a firearm with the intent to commit a felony.

Kiel Brende, 28, of Waa Waa was charged with second-degree assault after he was accused of assaulting his neighbor. The 47-year-old man went to the hospital with substantial injuries to his face and body.

Kekoa J.K. Krueger of Kauai had his appeal over a second-degree robbery conviction denied on March 13. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison after he was convicted of holding a victim down while another man beat him and took his wallet on April 6, 2011 near the Nawiliwili Tavern.

On June 2, police arrested 24-year-old Ethan Bailey of Mountain View. He was taken to the Hilo police cellblock and charged on June 4 with first-degree burglary, second-degree theft and third-degree theft.

At 5:45 p.m. on June 21, 20-year-old Sloan Kalau Deleon was arrested for contempt of court and on a no-bail warrant for violating probation.

At 2 a.m. on June 22, 27-year-old Leo Isamu Corpuz was arrested and charged with burglary, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, six counts of theft, two counts of theft/forgery of a credit card, eight counts of unauthorized possession of personal information, fraudulent use of a motor vehicle license plate and driving without a license.

On Sept. 5, Scott Taira, 21, of Pepe'ekeo was charged with first-degree burglary and first-degree theft after he accused of burglarizing a home in Pepe'ekeo on Sept. 4.

Rayner Kinney Jr., 62, of Ka'u was charged with violating a protective order and promoting a detrimental drug. He was also arrested for suspicion of attempted murder and other charges in connection with a domestic dispute in May.

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